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whatiwant2do New user 4 Posts |
"How do I get Started?" I know it seems like a ridiculousness question, but I am really in need of advise here.
I am ashamed to say it, but I am just a collector of cool tricks I've seen or had the opportunity to buy. (nothing major, but lots and lots of stuff over the years, nothing especially unique) I LOVE MAGIC, there's no question there. It may be a courage thing, but then I'm not so sure. It may be procedural, after I perform a trick, I'm not sure where to go from there....the next trick, the next trick, but what then? it may be I don't get a chance to be proficient at a trick because I've just limited my audience. I don't want to be a professional, but what a waste of a lot of cool tricks and a life time appreciation, I'm 48 now. (a kid when it comes to Magic) sincerely, The Enthusiast |
Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
Taking a bit of advice from Glenda the Witch of the North in The Wizard of Oz, "It's always best to start at the beginning."
Pick something easy to do, and develop a presentation for it.
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
Dimitri Mystery Artist Veteran user Israel/Ukraine 355 Posts |
Hey,
I would suggest to read some books about theory, maybe start with strong magic by Darwin Ortiz, you said you don´t want to be a professional, I would like to share with you a theory about your phrase, it has NOTHING to do to magic, if you agree or disagree it does not matter. I just want to share the theory not arguing. when somebody says ¨i don´t want to be a professional¨ it means he is giving up for himself, he is afraid of failure and by saying I just want to have some fun he is avoid ¨failing¨, on unconscious level he gives an excuse for himself not work hard, by saying I don´t want to be a professional you are ALREADY putting limits to your development, this is not the way to start. try to be professional, or at least try to be the best magician you can possible be, you might not be a full time pro, but think about the joy performing magic on professional level and see the joy of people around you! I don´t know if it make sense, anyway best of luck |
whatiwant2do New user 4 Posts |
Thank You Michael Baker
Thank you Demitri Zabuta |
BarryFernelius Inner circle Still learning, even though I've made 2537 Posts |
“One of the great and powerful enemies of good performance is this endless inner craving for more, more, more.
What’s new? What’s newer? What’s newest? The endless search for that one final utterly baffling effect that will make all other magicians simply fall on the floor in disbelief. Going round and round like a laboratory rat in a cage. Climbing the greased pole. STOP! To grow as a performer stop putting your energy into learning “new” tricks. You already know too many! Close the books, take out your mirror, and begin working on one effect that you already know. Do something with that one effect. Make it into a Mystery. Your mystery. And let your character unfold in the process. As Lao Tzu also said: A tree as great as a man’s embrace springs from a small shoot. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. The magician is created one effect at a time.” -Eugene Burger, from his book Spirit Theater
"To achieve great things, two things are needed: a plan and not quite enough time."
-Leonard Bernstein |
Mr. Mystoffelees Inner circle I haven't changed anyone's opinion in 3623 Posts |
What Barry said!
Also known, when doing rope magic, as "Cordini"
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Mr. Mystoffelees Inner circle I haven't changed anyone's opinion in 3623 Posts |
Quote:
On 2012-08-23 22:46, whatiwant2do wrote: 1. Your question is a good one. 2. Being a collector is nothing to be ashamed of. Many, many of us are collectors, including some of the very best pros (think Copperfield). Sometimes, I think ALL magicians are collectors. Certainly, not all collectors actually perform. 3. One does not need to perform to be a magician. One only needs to love it, respect it, and study it- a lot of meat there. 4. I think few people perform well outside their comfort zone. You need to start with a venue that you feel good in. You don't necessarily need to stay there, because as you become more and more comfortable you will naturally seek out challenges closer to the edge of that zone. I started by doing kids magic, perhaps because I thought they wouldn't notice my mistakes. The first time a few parents looked on, I almost freaked. Then it slowly became expected. Then the parents wondered if I would perform for their card club. Then, then, then... 5. I never liked the "next trick" situation, so I developed into some story-telling. One great effect, told to an interesting and relevant story will take longer, and be more interesting than 3 quick tricks. Look into the "Magician's Guilt" thread under "New To Magic" for some thoughts on that and a great book suggestion. To go deeper, you would need to answer some questions so we can understand more clearly where you wish to end up. Jim T
Also known, when doing rope magic, as "Cordini"
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tommy Eternal Order Devil's Island 16544 Posts |
All an amatuer needs is a good trick, all a pro needs is a good act.
If there is a single truth about Magic, it is that nothing on earth so efficiently evades it.
Tommy |
cirrus Inner circle his minions made 1751 Posts |
If you would like to delve into theory, don't start with stronger magic. Start with magic and meaning by eugene burger, then magic and showmanship and then you can read any book on theory you like.
also read a few books on acting, not just one. |
Brad Burt Inner circle 2675 Posts |
I would not advise reading theory stuff first before you have some experience for context.
In the end you just have to DO some magic for folks. Do this: Look at your stuff. Close-up, whatever. I'll assume it's mostly close-up for now, but makes no difference. Select three tricks that are different catagories: Cards, coins, etc. Look at them. Which one seems like a great one to start with. Visual, fast, magical, you could do it standing on your head. That's your opener. Now, select the one you think is the strongest of the the two that remain. Put it at the end. Your finale. The last one goes in the middle. Practice the snot out of them as a set. Go to a friend and say, "Hey, how about helping me out? Watch this little act and tell me what you think." Do your act. See what happens. Adjust from there. Do it more. Want it longer? Add two, but only two more tricks. Place them in the middle in manner that seems the best to you. Do act. See what happens. When you have done your act about a 100 times for folks...then you can think about theory. Now, some of it will make sense. Look...You NEVER want to trust anyone's 'theories' until you have something to measure them against. It would be even better actually if you could go a couple of years and lot more performances until you read your first theory tomb. Just do it. Or, don't. But, in the end if you want to do magic for folks you HAVE TO DO MAGIC FOR FOLKS. Best of luck to you,
Brad Burt
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Dimitri Mystery Artist Veteran user Israel/Ukraine 355 Posts |
Reading theory books doesn't mean you don't have to perform, also theory books should be read many times, so your own perspective is modifies on the way.
you have suggested to perform 3-5 tricks (i think it leaves many time on studying some theoretical elements . about doing magic for friends, it can be fine, but I don't think that judging yourself from friend's perspective is a good thing, the are not objective, some of them won't dare to criticized you, some of them will be hard to amaze, as they know you and know you are not David Copperfield. |
tommy Eternal Order Devil's Island 16544 Posts |
Where are you going?
If there is a single truth about Magic, it is that nothing on earth so efficiently evades it.
Tommy |
whatiwant2do New user 4 Posts |
Thank you, all, excellent advice, I need to Practice, practice, practice. I think I'll start with some card tricks, some packet tricks and a little scotch & soda until they are bomber. I just need to get the momentum going. Brad, your advice was definitive and direct, like a boxing coach, thank you, its what I was looking for. Moreover, this site is a fantastic resource, with great perspectives, thank you all!
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George Ledo Magic Café Columnist SF Bay Area 3042 Posts |
Lots of good suggestions here. Now, if I may add my two-cents' worth...
Whatever you do, don't forget that the magic IS NOT in the cards or the coins or the whatever you use. This is the biggest single problem I've been observing for years. You don't want to demonstrate a self-working gadget: you want to show what you can do as a magician. If all you do is demonstrate a gadget, then there's no magic; you can just give the gadget to the spectator and he can make it work too. For instance, you know it's a packet trick, I know it's a packet trick, people here in the Café know it's a packet trick. But the spectator doesn't need to know that. Don't just pull the cards out of this envelope that says, "Packet Trick." Put them on top of a regular deck; then they're just cards, and you, the magician, are going to do something with cards - not with a purchased gadget. It's all in the mindset.
That's our departed buddy Burt, aka The Great Burtini, doing his famous Cups and Mice routine
www.georgefledo.net Latest column: "Sorry about the photos in my posts here" |
tommy Eternal Order Devil's Island 16544 Posts |
One of the fun things about magic is that you can invent gadgets, such as teleport machines, laser pens and so on that work very nicely.
If there is a single truth about Magic, it is that nothing on earth so efficiently evades it.
Tommy |
cirrus Inner circle his minions made 1751 Posts |
Hence the acting books and theory... read them before you start, it will save you a lot of correcting afterwards.
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Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
I don't know I always wanted to perform, and learning tricks came second to me.
IMHO You need the fire in your belly first.
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
djurmann Inner circle thinks time to practice and stop writing 1481 Posts |
Eugene Burger has a DVD on Magical presentation. He does the same trick and shows many ways of presenting it, I recommend it. As for the rest I am in the same boat. I try to come up with an idea, write a script, edit it ruthlessly. Learn it and try it out. See how it plays. If it bombs with three audiences, it reconsider very carefully and probably go back to the drawing board.
Just a thought. Danny |
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